Degrees Offered
Anthropology B.A.
Please consult your academic advisor as you develop your academic plan.
The Anthropology major offers basic preparation for careers requiring contemporary cross-cultural understanding and awareness of cultural heritages. Due to the growing global nature of today’s job market, cross-cultural training is often an employment prerequisite. The major emphasizes archaeology, ethnology, physical, and applied aspects of anthropology. It is also designed for students planning to teach social and biological sciences, and for students preparing for graduate work in anthropology and its various geographical areas/interdisciplinary specializations such as African Studies, Asian Studies, and Latin American Studies. Training in Anthropology is ideal for pursuing a career in many related fields such as forensic science, biology, medicine, public health, law, public administration, and urban planning.
Requirements
1. Complete University General Education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. (51 units):
2. Complete the following prerequisites to the major (9 units):
ANTH 2060 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 2080 - Introduction to Physical Anthropology
ANTH 2090 - Introduction to Archaeology
Note: A wide background in the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Biological Sciences is desirable. Students are encouraged to take introductory courses in related fields within these areas. Students preparing for graduate studies or a research career in anthropology should include a course in statistics, computer science, and at least one language other than English. Students interested in a career in archaeology and/or Cultural Resource Management (CRM) should include a class in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
3. Complete the major.
Of not less than 31 upper-division units as approved by the major adviser; of these, no more than 8 units of CR-graded coursework from courses graded exclusively CR/NC may apply toward the major. The Writing Proficiency (WP) course must be taken in the major. Completion of a minor is not required.
The Major (31 units)
Complete a minimum of 31 upper-division units distributed as follows:
1. Complete the following required core courses:
ANTH 3500 - World Archaeology (required of all majors)
ANTH 3750 - Human Evolution (required of all majors)
ANTH 4500 - Growth of Anthropology (a capstone course required of all majors)
2. Anthropological Methods Requirement:
Majors are required to take a course or combination of courses (for a minimum of 4 units) in which they develop the methodological skills required of practicing anthropologists. The following courses (or a combination of them) satisfy the requirement:
ANTH 4030 - Visual Anthropology
ANTH 4040 - Crossing Cultural Boundaries: The Field Work Process
ANTH 4420 - Bodies of Evidence
ANTH 4605 - Archaeological Field Methods
ANTH 4625 - Directed Lab Research (repeatable up to 6 units)
3. Majors are required to complete sufficient elective units in any combination from the courses listed below to reach 31 total upper-division units.
Note: Three units of approved upper-division coursework, taken outside of the Anthropology Program curriculum may be applied as part of your upper-division elective requirements in Anthropology. See your adviser for approval of this option.
The Concentrations
To concentrate in one area within the Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, complete the above major program taking a minimum of 12 upper-division electives in one of the following: Cultural Anthropology or Archaeology (see Anthropology Courses by Sub-Field Concentration below). Such concentrations are recorded on students’ transcripts. Students also have the option of taking the Biological Anthropology Interdisciplinary Track below.
Biological Anthropology Interdisciplinary Concentration
Students pursuing this track must complete the core courses in the major and satisfy the Anthropological Methods requirement by taking ANTH 4420 - Bodies of Evidence and ANTH 4625 – Directed Lab Research.
Students must choose at least 11 units from the following courses:
ANTH 4410 - Talking Skeletons: Case Studies in Forensic Anthropology
BIOL 4850 - DNA Technology in Forensic Science
*BIOL 2310 (Human Genetics) or BIOL 3350 (Introductory Genetics) and CHEM 1100 (Principles of Chemistry II) are pre-requisites for BIOL 4850.
ANTH 4210 - Ethnomedical Anthropology
SOCL 4700 - Medical Sociology
ANTH 3740 – Human Adaptability
ANTH 3760 – Primates Past and Present
ANTH 3780 – Primate Social Behavior
ANTH 4605 – Archaeological Field Methods
Complete the major with additional upper division elective units to reach 31 units. Student may choose a course outside the discipline with approval of their major advisor.
Teaching Credentials
Anthropology majors interested in a Social Sciences Subject Matter Preparation Program for a single-subject credential should review the subject matter preparation program requirements described in the Social Sciences section of this catalog. Please refer to the Teacher Education section of the Graduate Catalog for a description of other requirements to be completed for the single-subject credential.
Anthropology Courses by Sub-Field Concentration
Lower Division
ANTH 2060 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 2080 - Introduction to Physical Anthropology
ANTH 2090 - Introduction to Archaeology
ANTH 2950 - Selected Topics in Anthropology
Upper Division
Required Courses
ANTH 3500 - World Archaeology
ANTH 3750 - Human Evolution
ANTH 4500 - Growth of Anthropology
Methods
ANTH 4030 - Visual Anthropology (Cultural Anthropology)
ANTH 4040 - Crossing Cultural Boundaries: The Field Work Process (Cultural Anthropology)
ANTH 4420 - Bodies of Evidence (Physical Anthropology)
ANTH 4605 - Archaeological Field Methods (Archaeology)
ANTH 4625 - Directed Lab Research (Archaeology)
Cultural Anthropology Electives
ANTH 3000 - Anthropology and Global Issues
ANTH 3030 - The World on a Plate: Humans and Food
ANTH 3060 - Peoples and Cultures of the Amazon
ANTH 3070 - Peoples and Cultures of Africa
ANTH 3080 - Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean
ANTH 3090 - Peoples and Cultures of Latin America
ANTH 3105 - Peoples and Cultures of the Pacific
ANTH 3106 - Peoples and Cultures of Asia
ANTH 3200 - Anthropological Studies of U.S. Culture
ANTH 3301 - Native Americans of Canada and the U.S.
ANTH 3320 - Native Peoples of Latin America
ANTH 3400-3499 - Modern Ethnographic Studies
ANTH 3800 - Language and Culture
ANTH 3900 - Anthropology of Gender and Sexuality (WP)
ANTH 4130 - Urban Subcultures: Chinatown
ANTH 4140 - Urban Anthropology
ANTH 4150 - Anthropology of Religion
ANTH 4165 - The Family in Cross-Cultural Perspective
ANTH 4170 - Economic Anthropology (WP)
ANTH 4181 - Political Anthropology
ANTH 4200 - Applied Anthropology and Social Change
ANTH 4210 - Ethnomedical Anthropology
ANTH 4211 - The World in Change
ANTH 4221 - Folk Literature and Arts (WP)
ANTH 4250 - The Ethnoecology of Southeast Asia
ANTH 4650 - Ethnographic Field School
Physical Anthropology Electives
ANTH 3740 – Human Adaptability
ANTH 3760 - Primates Past and Present
ANTH 3780 - Primate Social Behavior
ANTH 4400 - Observational Studies in Primate Behavior
ANTH 4410 - Talking Skeletons: Case Studies in Forensic Anthropology
ANTH 4700-4799 - Studies in Physical Anthropology
Archaeology Electives
ANTH 3010 - The Great Discoveries
ANTH 3020 - Travelers in Time: Perspectives of the Past on the Present
ANTH 3500-3599 - Studies in World Prehistory
ANTH 3555 - Aztecs, Mayas, and Predecessors
ANTH 3560 - On the Inka Road: Survey of Andean Prehistory
ANTH 3600 - Method and Theory in Archaeology
ANTH 4321 - Historical Archaeology
ANTH 4605 - Archaeological Field Methods
ANTH 4625 - Directed Lab Research
ANTH 4640 - Archaeological Expedition
ANTH 4850 - Crafting Maya Identities: Household Archaeology in Mesoamerica (WP)
ANTH 4852 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems
Special Studies Electives
ANTH 4000 - Current Trends in Anthropology
ANTH 4900 - Directed Field Research
ANTH 4910 - Cooperative Education
ANTH 4940 - Internship in Anthropology
ANTH 4950 - Selected Topics in Anthropology
ANTH 4960 - Senior Seminar
ANTH 4980 - Individual Study
ANTH 4990 - Senior Thesis
ANTH 5250 - The Ethnoecology of Southeast Asia
ANTH 5300 - Digital Media Fundamentals and Visual Culture
ANTH 5350 - Evolution of Digital Media and Culture
ANTH 5355 - Advanced Digital Content Creation
ANTH 5400 - Storytelling in the Digital Realm
ANTH 5850 - Seminar in Graduate Research
ANTH 5900 - Directed Field Research
ANTH 5950 - Selected Topics in Anthropology
ANTH 5960 - Graduate Projects
ANTH 5980 - Individual Study
ANTH 5990 - Thesis
Requirements (Catalog Year 2006-2016)
Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology
1. Complete University requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree (51 units minimum).
2. Complete the following prerequisites to the major (9 units):
ANTH 2060 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 3 units
ANTH 2080 Introduction to Physical Anthropology, 3 units
ANTH 2090 Introduction to Archaeology, 3 units
Note: A wide background in the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Biological Sciences is desirable. Students are encouraged to take introductory courses in related fields within these areas. Students preparing for graduate studies or a research career in anthropology should include a course in statistics, computer science, and at least one language other than English.
3. Complete the major of not less than 31 upper-division units as approved by the major adviser; of these, no more than 8 units of CR-graded course work from courses graded exclusively CR/NC may apply toward the major. Completion of a minor is not required.
The Major (31 units) Complete a minimum of 31 upper-division units distributed as follows:
1. Take at least 3 units from each of the following areas:
a. Ethnography, 3 units
b. Ethnology, 3 units
c. Physical Anthropology, 3 units
d. Prehistoric Archaeology, 3 units
2. Complete the following requirement courses:
a. ANTH 3750 Human Evolution (required of all majors), 3 units
b. ANTH 4500 Growth of Anthropology (a capstone course required of all majors), 4 units
3. Practical Requirement: majors are required to take a course or combination of courses (for a minimum of 3 units) in which they practice the discipline of anthropology. These courses may also be used to meet other requirements (general education or major) as appropriate. This could be an internship, a winter term, semester or year of study abroad, an independent study project, or a laboratory based course. Courses that can satisfy this requirement include (but are not limited to) the following:
ANTH 4650 Ethnographic Field School, 3 units
ANTH 4200 Applied Anthropology and Social Change, 4 units
ANTH 4130 Urban Subcultures: Chinatown, 1 unit
ANTH 4321 Historical Archaeology, 5 units
ANTH 4605 Archaeological Field Methods,
5 units ANTH 4625 Directed Lab Research 2 units
ANTH 4640 Archaeology Expedition, 1-4 units
ANTH 4400 Observational Studies in Primate Behavior, 1 unit
ANTH 4420 Bodies of Evidence, 3 units
ANTH 4850 Constructing Maya Identities, 3 units
ANTH 4900 Directed Field Research ANTH 4940 Internship in Anthropology, 1-6 units
ANTH 4980 Individual Study, 1-4 units
4. Elective Upper Division units in Anthropology to complete a total of 31 units. Note: Three units of approved upper-division course work in computer science or statistics, taken outside of the Department of Anthropology/Geography, may be applied as part of your upper-division electives in Anthropology. See your adviser for approval of this option.
THE MINOR
Requirements (18 units) Complete 18 units of anthropology course work, including at least 12 units of upper-division courses approved by the minor adviser.
Note: Students may specialize in one area of anthropology for the minor. No more than 8 units of CR-graded course work from courses graded exclusively CR/NC may apply toward the minor.
THE CONCENTRATIONS To concentrate in one area within the Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology, complete the above major program taking all 9 upper-division electives in one of the following: Ethnology, Physical Anthropology, or Prehistoric Archaeology. Such concentrations will be recorded on students' transcripts.
SPECIAL INTERDISCIPLINARY CONCENTRATIONS FOR PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Forensic Anthropology Track: These courses substitute for all the Anthropology elective upper-division units and fulfill the practical requirement:
ANTH 4420 Bodies of Evidence, 3 units
ANTH 4410 Talking Skeletons, 3 units
ENTO 4330 *Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 4 units
BIOL 4850 *DNA Technology in Forensic Science, 2 units
Medical Anthropology Track: These courses substitute for all the Anthropology elective upper-division units and fullfill the practical requirement.
ANTH 4210 Ethnomedical Anthropology, 3 units
(This is a required course for this track) HIST 4730 Disease and World Societies, 3 units
ENTO 4330 *Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 4 units
SOCL 4700 Medical Sociology, 3 units
Students may substitute one course from the list below according to their interests:
COMM 4180 Health Communication, 3 units
HLTH 4500 Health in a Diverse Society, 3 units
MBIO 3010 Bacteriology, 3 units
BIOL 4100 Immunology, 3 units
BIOL 4110 Concepts in Epidemiology, 2units
ZOOL 4440 General Parasitology, 4 units
* Students are required to take a year long freshman sequence in introductory biology, zoology, or botany as a prerequisite to ENTO 4330. BIOL 2310 (Human Genetics) and CHEM 1100 (Principles of Chemistry) are pre- or co-requisites for BIOL 4850.
LIBERAL STUDIES CONCENTRATION IN ANTHROPOLOGY
Please refer to the Liberal Studies section of the catalog for the Liberal Studies concentration in Anthropology.
ANTHROPOLOGY SUB-AREAS Anthropology majors interested in a Social Sciences Subject Matter Preparation Program for a single subject credential should review the subject matter preparation program requirements described in the "Social Sciences" section of this catalog. Please refer to the "College of Education, Teacher Education" section of this catalog for a description of other requirements to be completed for the single subject credential.
ANTHROPOLOGY SUB-AREAS
Lower Division
ANTH 2060 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 3 units
ANTH 2080 Introduction to Physical Anthropology, 3 units
ANTH 2090 Introduction to Archaeology, 3 units
ANTH 2950 Selected Topics in Anthropology, 1-5 units
Upper Division
General Anthropology
ANTH 3000 Anthropology and Global Issues, 3 units
ANTH 3010 The Great Discoveries, 3 units
ANTH 4500 Growth of Anthropology, 4 units
Ethnography
ANTH 3070 Peoples and Cultures of Africa, 3 units
ANTH 3080 Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean, 3 units
ANTH 3090 Peoples and Cultures of Latin America, 3 units
ANTH 3105 Cultures of the Pacific, 3 units
ANTH 3106 Peoples and Cultures of Asia, 3 units
ANTH 3200 Anthropological Studies of U.S. Culture, 4 units
ANTH 3301 Native Americans of Canada and the U.S., 3 units
ANTH 3320 Native Peoples of Latin America, 3 units
ANTH 3400-3499 Modern Ethnographic Studies (topics vary), 1-4 units
ANTH 4250 The Ethnoecology of Southeast Asia, 4 units
ANTH 4650 Caribbean Field School, 3 units
Ethnology
ANTH 3900 Anthropology of Gender and Sexuality (WP), 3 units
ANTH 4030 Anthropology Through Film, 1-4 units
ANTH 4040 Crossing Cultural Boundaries: The Field Work Process, 4 units
ANTH 4130 Urban Subcultures: Chinatown, 1 unit
ANTH 4140 Urban Anthropology, 3 units
ANTH 4150 Anthropology of Religion, 4 units
ANTH 4165 The Family in Cross-Cultural Perspective, 3 units
ANTH 4170 Business, Economics, and Anthropology, 3 units
ANTH 4181 Political Anthropology, 3 units
ANTH 4200 Applied Anthropology and Social Change, 4 units
ANTH 4210 Ethnomedical Anthropology, 3 units
ANTH 4211 The World in Change, 3 units
ANTH 4221 Folk Literature and Arts (WP), 3 units
Prehistoric Archaeology
ANTH 3500-3599 Studies in World Prehistory (topics vary), 1-4 units
ANTH 3600 Method and Theory in Archaeology, 3 units
ANTH 4321 Historical Archaeology, 5 units
ANTH 4605 Archaeological Field Methods, 5 units
ANTH 4625 Directed Lab Research, 2 units
ANTH 4640 Archaeological Expedition, 1-4 units
Physical Anthropology
ANTH 3750 Human Evolution, 3 units
ANTH 3760 Primates Past and Present, 3 units
ANTH 3780 Primate Social Behavior, 3 units
ANTH 4400 Observational Studies in Primate Behavior, 1 unit
ANTH 4410 Talking Skeletons: Case Studies in Forensic Anthropology, 3 units
ANTH 4420 Bodies of Evidence, 3 units
ANTH 4700-4799 Studies in Physical Anthropology, 1-4 units
Special Studies
ANTH 4900 Directed Field Research, 1-5 units
ANTH 4910 Cooperative Education, 2-4 units
ANTH 4940 Internship in Anthropology, 1-6 units
ANTH 4950 Selected Topics in Anthropology, 1-5 units
ANTH 4960 Senior Seminar, 1-4 units
ANTH 4980 Individual Study, 1-4 units
ANTH 4990 Senior Thesis, 3-5 units ANTH 5850 Seminar in Graduate Research, 2 units
ANTH 5950 Selected Topics in Anthropology, 1-5 units
ANTH 5960 Graduate Projects, 3-6 units
ANTH 5980 Individual Study, 1-4 units ANTH 5990 Thesis, 3-6 units
Requirements (Catalog Year 2005 or earlier)
Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology
1. Complete University requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree (51 units minimum).
2. Complete the following prerequisites to the major (9 units):
ANTH 2060 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 3 units
ANTH 2080 Introduction to Physical Anthropology, 3 units
ANTH 2090 Introduction to Archaeology, 3 units
Note: A wide background in the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Biological Sciences is desirable. Students are encouraged to take introductory courses in related fields within these areas. Students preparing for graduate studies or a research career in anthropology should include a course in statistics, computer science, and at least one language other than English.
3. Complete the major of not less than 31 upper-division units as approved by the major adviser; of these, no more than 8 units of CR-graded course work from courses graded exclusively CR/NC may apply toward the major. Completion of a minor is not required.
The Major (31 units) Complete a minimum of 31 upper-division units distributed as follows:
1. Ethnography and Ethnology (to include a minimum of 3 units in each category), 9 units
2. Physical Anthropology and Prehistoric Archaeology (to include a minimum of 3 units in each category), 9 units
3. ANTH 4500 Growth of Anthropology (required of all majors), 4 units
4. Elective upper-division units in Anthropology, 9 units
Note: Three units of approved upper-division course work in computer science, taken outside of the Department of Anthropology/Geography, may be applied as part of your upper-division electives in Anthropology. See your adviser for approval of this option.
The Minor
Requirements (21 units) Complete 21 units of anthropology course work, including at least 12 units of upper-division courses approved by the minor adviser.
Note: Students may specialize in one area of anthropology for the minor. No more than 8 units of CR-graded course work from courses graded exclusively CR/NC may apply toward the minor.
The Concentrations To concentrate in one area within the Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology, complete the above major program taking all 9 upper-division electives in one of the following: Ethnology, Physical Anthropology, or Prehistoric Archaeology. Such concentrations will be recorded on students' transcripts.
Liberal Studies Concentration
Requirements (20 units) Complete the required 20-unit concentration from one of the three following anthropology sub-areas, as outlined below:
1. Ethnology (20 units)Note: This concentration is recommended for students preparing for a teaching career.
a. ANTH 2060 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 3 units. b. Ethnography and/or Ethnology, 17 units
2. Archaeology (20 units)
a. ANTH 2090 Introduction to Archaeology, 3 units b. Prehistoric Archaeology, 17 units 3. Physical Anthropology (20 units) a. ANTH 2080 Introduction to Physical Anthropology, 3 units b. Physical Anthropology, 17 units
Teaching Credentials
Anthropology majors interested in a Social Sciences Subject Matter Preparation Program for a single subject credential should review the subject matter preparation program requirements described in the "Social Sciences" section of this catalog. Please refer to the "College of Education, Teacher Education" section of this catalog for a description of other requirements to be completed for the single subject credential.
Anthropology Sub-Areas
Lower Division
ANTH 2060 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 3 units
ANTH 2080 Introduction to Physical Anthropology, 3 units
ANTH 2090 Introduction to Archaeology, 3 units
ANTH 2950 Selected Topics in Anthropology, 1-5 units
Upper Division
General Anthropology
ANTH 3000 Anthropology and Global Issues, 3 units
ANTH 3010 The Great Discoveries, 3 units
ANTH 3020 Travelers in Time: Perspectives of the Past on the Present, 3 units
ANTH 4500 Growth of Anthropology, 4 units
Ethnography
ANTH 3070 Peoples and Cultures of Africa, 3 units
ANTH 3080 Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean, 3 units
ANTH 3090 Peoples and Cultures of Latin America, 3 units
ANTH 3105 Cultures of the Pacific, 3 units
ANTH 3106 Peoples and Cultures of Asia, 3 units
ANTH 3200 Anthropological Studies of U.S. Culture, 4 units
ANTH 3301 Native Americans of Canada and the U.S., 3 units
ANTH 3320 Native Peoples of Latin America, 3 units
ANTH 3400-3499 Modern Ethnographic Studies (topics vary), 1-4 units
ANTH 4250 The Ethnoecology of Southeast Asia, 4 units
ANTH 4650 Caribbean Field School, 3 units
Ethnology
ANTH 3900 Anthropology of Gender and Sexuality (WP), 3 units
ANTH 4030 Anthropology Through Film, 1-4 units
ANTH 4040 Crossing Cultural Boundaries: The Field Work Process, 4 units
ANTH 4130 Urban Subcultures: Chinatown, 1 unit
ANTH 4140 Urban Anthropology, 3 units ANTH 4150 Anthropology of Religion, 4 units
ANTH 4165 The Family in Cross-Cultural Perspective, 3 units
ANTH 4170 Business, Economics, and Anthropology, 3 units
ANTH 4181 Political Anthropology, 3 units
ANTH 4200 Applied Anthropology and Social Change, 4 units
ANTH 4210 Ethnomedical Anthropology, 3 units
ANTH 4211 The World in Change, 3 units
ANTH 4221 Folk Literature and Arts (WP), 3 units
Prehistoric Archaeology
ANTH 3500-3599 Studies in World Prehistory (topics vary), 1-4 units
ANTH 3600 Method and Theory in Archaeology, 3 units
ANTH 4321 Historical Archaeology, 5 units
ANTH 4605 Archaeological Field Methods, 5 units
ANTH 4625 Directed Lab Research, 2 units
ANTH 4640 Archaeological Expedition, 1-4 units
Physical Anthropology
ANTH 3750 Human Evolution, 3 units
ANTH 3760 Primates Past and Present, 3 units
ANTH 3780 Primate Social Behavior, 3 units
ANTH 4400 Observational Studies in Primate Behavior, 1 unit
ANTH 4410 Talking Skeletons: Case Studies in Forensic Anthropology, 3 units
ANTH 4420 Bodies of Evidence, 3 units
ANTH 4700-4799 Studies in Physical Anthropology, 1-4 units
Special Studies
ANTH 4900 Directed Field Research, 1-5 units
ANTH 4910 Cooperative Education, 2-4 units
ANTH 4940 Internship in Anthropology, 1-6 units
ANTH 4950 Selected Topics in Anthropology, 1-5 units
ANTH 4960 Senior Seminar, 1-4 units
ANTH 4980 Individual Study, 1-4 units
ANTH 4990 Senior Thesis, 3-5 units
ANTH 5850 Seminar in Graduate Research, 2 units
ANTH 5950 Selected Topics in Anthropology, 1-5 units
ANTH 5960 Graduate Projects, 3-6 units
ANTH 5980 Individual Study, 1-4 units
ANTH 5990 Thesis, 3-6 units
Updated: August 08, 2023